Holly Smith brought one horse, to the Royal International Horse Show, for one class, and it paid off as she and star stallion Fruselli landed the JCL Insurance Brokers 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Fruselli had been out of action for nearly two years but won a hat-trick of four-star classes at Bolesworth early this month, and looked back to his brilliant best as he and Holly jumped clear in 35.6sec, just ahead of Ella Dalton and Ultimo N Z.
“What a privilege to be able to ride in a ring like that in a national competition in a 1.50m class,” Holly said. “Not all horses will take to it. They need to be brave, they need to be careful, they need to stay with you, they need to handle the gradients. It really does take a true superstar of a horse, they have to have everything.”
And Fruselli does. Now 16, the compact Dutch-bred stallion looks as good, if not better, than ever. Compact and agile, he was landing, turning and accelerating with effortless speed to secure the title for Holly for the first time.
“Fruselli’s got a wealth of experience, and we know each other inside out,” Holly said. “He’s well worth the drive; when the alarm goes off to bring a horse like him, you jump out of bed with a smile on your face.”
(Image credit: Boots and Hooves Photography)
Ella had set the standard from second in the jump-off with her own big-striding scopey eight-year-old. Gemma Stevens and Envoy Merelsnest Z crossed the line in a fantastic 35.09sec but clipped the second-last to finish seventh.
“Fruselli is a very naturally quick horse, but you’ve got to get that balance of not going absolutely mad, but still not leaving the door open for anybody else,” Holly said. “I thought I’d done it but you never know!
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“He’s been off for two years, and whether he was going to come back or not, we didn’t know. We dipped a toe in a few weeks ago at Bolesworth, he was exceptional there, took him easy then brought him here, and he’s gone and done it again. It’s like a dream, really. What a privilege to ride a horse with such experience.”
Ella, who won the Cindy Meade memorial trophy as the best under-25 rider, was delighted with Ultimo, whom she bought last October and has stepped up to this level this year, finishing second at the Great Yorkshire Show.
“He was amazing today,” she said. “Holly was destined to win but he was incredible. This was the first time I’ve really gone against the clock with him but he’s so naturally fast and careful – and he had the best time in there. He’s got so much stride and quality, I can just sit there and look pretty! He makes my job super-easy.”
Former Hickstead speed Derby winner Ella has also been busy eventing, competing at four-star with Chantilly Amatullah – “And I’m showing here too,” she said. “I’m doing literally everything!”
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
